Notes from KnockNotes from Knock, on simple phones for UK kids, the kitchen-table conversation, and the research behind the position. Sent when there is a piece worth sending.https://knockphone.co.uk/en-GB2026 Knock Ltd, UKWed, 10 Jun 2026 06:07:10 GMTHow to take a smartphone off a teenager, gentlyhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/16-taking-phone-off-teenager/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/16-taking-phone-off-teenager/How to take a smartphone off a UK teenager, gently. Harder than not starting. The calm script, from UK families who've done it. Day one, week one, beyond.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalconversationshello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Apple Screen Time on iPhone, the UK setup walkthroughhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/apple-screen-time-setup-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/apple-screen-time-setup-uk/Apple Screen Time and Family Sharing for UK parents. The setup walkthrough for a child's iPhone, the limits worth setting, and the honest gotchas.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalsetuphello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Google Family Link, the UK setup walkthroughhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/google-family-link-setup-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/google-family-link-setup-uk/Google Family Link for UK parents, the step-by-step setup for an Android phone or tablet. Account, controls, app limits, location, and the honest gotchas.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalsetuphello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)GPS trackers for kids, when they make sense (and when a phone doesn't)https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/gps-tracker-vs-phone-for-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/gps-tracker-vs-phone-for-kids/GPS trackers and smartwatches for kids, the honest case. When they make sense for under-10s, when a basic phone wins, and what UK parents use.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalcomparisonhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The Online Safety Act, what it means for your child in 2026https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/online-safety-act-children-explained/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/online-safety-act-children-explained/The UK Online Safety Act 2023, plainly. What it requires of platforms, the children's safety duties, age verification, and what changes for UK families in 2026.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpolicyevidencehello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)School phone ban statistics UK, the numbers in 2026https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/school-phone-ban-statistics-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/school-phone-ban-statistics-uk/School phone ban statistics for UK 2026. Parent support, school uptake, Yondr adoption, behaviour outcomes, and the named primary sources.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpolicyevidencehello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)How to talk to other parents about delaying smartphoneshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/talk-to-other-parents-delaying-smartphones/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/talk-to-other-parents-delaying-smartphones/Practical, low-awkwardness ways to find one or two other families to delay smartphones with, from the school gate to the class WhatsApp group.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Yondr pouches in UK schools, what parents and heads should knowhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/yondr-pouches-uk-schools/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/yondr-pouches-uk-schools/Yondr pouches in UK schools explained. What they cost, how they work, which UK schools use them, and the evidence on whether they actually change behaviour.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTschoolspolicyhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)What age should a child get a phone in the UK?https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/15-what-age-should-child-get-phone-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/15-what-age-should-child-get-phone-uk/What age should a child get a phone in the UK? The honest 2026 answer. Different for a basic phone and a smartphone. What the evidence says.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalevidencehello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Starting a Smartphone Free Childhood group at your schoolhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/14-smartphone-free-childhood-parent-pact/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/14-smartphone-free-childhood-parent-pact/How to start a Smartphone Free Childhood group at your UK school. How the parent pact works. What the parents who've done it report it took.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalschoolscommunityhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The Anxious Generation, summarised for UK parentshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/13-anxious-generation-summary-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/13-anxious-generation-summary-uk/Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation, summarised for UK parents. The central argument, the four norms, and how it lands here in 2026. Fifteen minutes.Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTresearchevidencehello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The first fortnight without a smartphone: what to expecthttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/the-first-fortnight/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/the-first-fortnight/Day one is hard, week two is easier, week three is Tuesday. What UK parents say about the first fortnight without a smartphone. Why company matters most.Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Child left out of the WhatsApp group, what to dohttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/12-child-left-out-whatsapp-group/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/12-child-left-out-whatsapp-group/Your child is not on the class WhatsApp group because they do not have a smartphone. Here is what UK parents have actually done about it, in a useful order.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalfirst-weekhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)A refurbished iPhone SE for kids: the honest casehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/refurbished-iphone-se-for-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/refurbished-iphone-se-for-kids/A refurbished iPhone SE for a child, the honest case. From £169 at Back Market UK. The Screen Time setup, the case for it, the case against.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Is my child addicted to their phone? Signs, evidence and what to dohttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/11-is-my-child-addicted-to-their-phone/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/11-is-my-child-addicted-to-their-phone/Signs of phone addiction in UK kids and teens, what the evidence actually says about adolescent overuse, and the things UK parents have tried that help.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalresearchhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Back to school 2026: your first-phone checklisthttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/back-to-school-first-phone-checklist/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/back-to-school-first-phone-checklist/A calm, practical checklist for setting up your child's first phone before term starts: the handset, the SIM, the setup, the rules and the conversation.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)An imagined Year 7 first week with a Nokia 3210, day by dayhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/10-year-7-first-week/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/10-year-7-first-week/A day-by-day account of a UK Year 7 first week with a Nokia 3210. A composite, not a single family. The shape of the week, so you know it passes.Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTyear-7first-weekphonecompositehello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The best phone for a child who walks to schoolhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/phone-for-child-walking-to-school/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/phone-for-child-walking-to-school/Best phone for a child walking to school. Reliable calls, long battery, simplicity. An honest word on tracking. Nokia 3210 or Nokia 235 lead.Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The Pinwheel Plus, honestly: what published UK reviews and the UK distributor sayhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/09-pinwheel-plus-uk-honest/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/09-pinwheel-plus-uk-honest/Pinwheel Plus for UK parents. £279 plus £13.99 a month. The case for, the case against, drawn from published UK and US reviews.Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphonereviewpinwheelhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)PAYG vs SIM-only for a child's first phonehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/payg-vs-sim-only-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/payg-vs-sim-only-kids/Pay as you go or a rolling SIM-only deal for your child's first phone? The real differences in cost, control and convenience, and which suits which family.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The DfE February 2024 phone guidance, explained for parentshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/08-dfe-feb-2024-explained/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/08-dfe-feb-2024-explained/The DfE February 2024 guidance on phones in UK schools, in plain English. What schools must do, what they may do, and what it means at home.Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTresearchschoolspolicyhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Calls-and-texts-only SIM cards for a child's phonehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/calls-texts-only-sim-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/calls-texts-only-sim-kids/A SIM with calls and texts but no mobile internet for your child. How to get one, what to look for, the UK options worth knowing. From £4 a month.Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Why Knock is called Knockhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/07-why-knock-is-called-knock/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/07-why-knock-is-called-knock/The name is a verb British children used before mobile phones existed. The afternoon Knock would like to make a little easier to come back to.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdecisionbrandhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Where to buy a simple phone for kids in the UKhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/where-to-buy-simple-phone-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/where-to-buy-simple-phone-uk/How Knock recommends buying a simple phone for a child in the UK: a single Amazon UK link per handset, with direct links to the brand for everything else.Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Smartphone alternatives for an 11-year-old in the UK, every option comparedhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/06-smartphone-alternative-eleven/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/06-smartphone-alternative-eleven/Every UK option for an eleven-year-old who doesn't yet have a smartphone, ranked from cheapest to most considered, with the trade-offs of each.Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphoneyear-6comparisonhello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Does the Nokia 3210 have internet or WhatsApp? Honest answershttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/nokia-3210-internet-whatsapp/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/nokia-3210-internet-whatsapp/Can the Nokia 3210 (2024) get on the internet, run WhatsApp or use social media? Clear yes-and-no answers, and exactly what it can and cannot do.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Stepping back: what to do when your child already has a smartphonehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/05-stepping-back-from-smartphone/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/05-stepping-back-from-smartphone/Your child already has a smartphone and you want out. Harder than not starting. Not impossible. The calm playbook UK families have used.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalfirst-weekconversationshello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The best phone for a year-six pupil in the UK, 2026https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/04-best-phone-for-year-six/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/04-best-phone-for-year-six/The first pick for UK Year 6 parents, the runners-up, and the reasoning behind each. Built from published UK and US tech reviews.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTphoneyear-6schoolshello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)How much screen time should a child have? UK guidancehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/how-much-screen-time-child/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/how-much-screen-time-child/The UK sets no single screen-time limit, and there is a good reason why. What the official guidance actually says, and a more useful way to think about it.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Replacing WhatsApp without your child losing their friendshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/03-replacing-whatsapp/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/03-replacing-whatsapp/Practical ways to keep your child in the school social loop when their friends have WhatsApp and they don't. None of them need a smartphone.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTpracticalschoolshello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Is my child addicted to their phone? Signs and what helpshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/child-phone-addiction-signs/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/child-phone-addiction-signs/What problematic phone use can look like in children, why 'addiction' is a contested word, and calm, practical steps that help, without panic or shame.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)How to have the 'no, you're not getting an iPhone' conversationhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/02-parent-script/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/02-parent-script/The twenty-minute version of the conversation. What to say, what to skip, and how to handle the bit that worries you most.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTconversationsscriptshello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)How to stop your child using social media, calmlyhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/how-to-stop-child-social-media/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/how-to-stop-child-social-media/How to keep your child off social media without a daily battle. Device choices, parental controls, the conversation. Calm, realistic, UK 2026.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Alternatives to giving your child a smartphonehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartphone-alternatives-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartphone-alternatives-kids/Smartphone alternatives for kids UK. Basic and flip phones, GPS watches, parent-controlled devices. The realistic options if you want to wait.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Smartwatch vs phone for a child: which should you get?https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartwatch-vs-phone-child/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartwatch-vs-phone-child/A children's GPS smartwatch or a basic phone? An honest comparison for younger children, covering calls, location, cost and the age each one suits.Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Dumb phone vs smartphone for kids: which is right?https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/dumb-phone-vs-smartphone-kids/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/dumb-phone-vs-smartphone-kids/A clear, balanced comparison of a basic phone and a smartphone for a child's first phone: cost, safety, the social side, and the cases where each one wins.Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)What a phone-free school day actually looks likehttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/phone-free-school-day/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/phone-free-school-day/How UK schools run a phone-free day in practice. Off-and-away, hand-in, lockers and Yondr pouches. The exceptions. How to reach your child.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Social media age limits in the UK, explainedhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/social-media-age-limits-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/social-media-age-limits-uk/Minimum age for Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp and YouTube in the UK. Who sets it, what the Online Safety Act changes, the gaps. Plain English.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)What age should a child get a phone in the UK?https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/what-age-first-phone-uk/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/what-age-first-phone-uk/What age should a child get a phone in the UK? No single right age, but the evidence points somewhere. What adults think, what kids own, how to decide.Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Smartphone Free Childhood: what the Parent Pact is and how to joinhttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartphone-free-childhood-parent-pact/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/smartphone-free-childhood-parent-pact/A plain guide to the Smartphone Free Childhood movement and its Parent Pact: what it asks, why it works through numbers, and how to take part in the UK.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)Do school phone bans actually work?https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/do-school-phone-bans-work/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/do-school-phone-bans-work/An honest look at what the evidence on school phone bans does and does not show, why parents back them, and what a ban can and cannot do on its own.Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)The 2026 school phone ban, explained for parentshttps://knockphone.co.uk/notes/school-phone-ban-2026-explained/https://knockphone.co.uk/notes/school-phone-ban-2026-explained/What the new statutory guidance on mobile phones in schools means, when it takes effect, and what it changes for your child. Plain English, with the sources.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThello@knockphone.co.uk (Knock)